Delahanty, Edward J.
Baseball
b. Oct. 30, 1867, Cleveland, OH
d. July 2, 1903
The best of five brothers who played in the major leagues, "Big Ed" was slender at 6-foot and only 170 pounds, but he swung a big bat. A right-hander, he played in 130 games with the NL's Philadelphia team in 1888 and 1889 before jumping to Cleveland in the Players' League in 1890.
After the Players' League folded, he returned to Philadelphia in 1891 and led the league in triples with 21 and in slugging percentage with .495 in 1892. Originally a second baseman, he became an outfielder that season, though he was also occasionally used at first base.
He then had a sensational five-year stretch, batting .368 in 1893, .407 in 1894, .404 in 1895, .397 in 1896, and .377 in 1897. Delahanty led the league in home runs with 19 in 1893 and 13 in 1896; in doubles with 49 in 1895 and 44 in 1896; in RBI with 146 in 1893 and 126 in 1896; and in slugging percentage with .583 in 1893 and .631 in 1896.
After tailing off to .334 in 1898, Delahanty had his best season the following year. His .410 average and .582 slugging percentage led the league, and he was also tops in hits with 238, doubles with 55, and RBI with 137.
Delahanty led the league in doubles once more with 38 in 1901, then jumped to the AL's Washington Senators for a $1,000 raise. He led the new league with a .376 average, 43 doubles, and a .590 slugging percentage in 1902.
A heavy drinker, Delahanty was suspended during the 1903 season. While traveling from Detroit to New York to be with his wife, Delahanty had several drinks and was put off the train near Niagara Falls for being rowdy. He tried to follow the train across the International Bridge, fell into the Niagara River, and was washed over the falls. His mangled body was found a week later.